Miss Smith smiled at the doctor pleasantly and rose, but her expression faltered when her gaze fell upon Seraphina. She adjusted her spectacles, as though trying to place Sera’s face.
Sera ducked her head beneath her stepmother’s hideous hat and looked out the window, holding her breath.
“Miss Smith?” the doctor urged.
“Of course,” the girl finally said, her eyes still fixed on Sera.
Please, Sera prayed silently. Please don’t let her realize who I am.
The girl turned around and briskly left the room. Sera let out a breath.
Dr. Hogue gestured at a sofa, and the three of them sat down. “Now then. What is the nature of your aunt’s malady, Miss Elspeth?”
Thaïs launched into a litany of outlandish symptoms—conversations with the laying hens, an appetite for beetles, delusions of being the king. Sera wondered if she was being too dramatic to be credible, but the doctor listened raptly, nodding.
When Thaïs had exhausted her imagination’s supply of ailments, he smiled. “Your aunt will do very well here. Now, where shall I send the bill?”
“Before we discuss the arrangements, Dr. Hogue, perhaps you would give us a tour?” Thaïs asked. “My aunt is a dear woman, when she is not dancing through the gardens in the nude. I want to be sure she will be comfortable here.”
The doctor hesitated. “I’m afraid we don’t take guests inside the asylum. The presence of new faces can be overly exciting for our patients.”
“We shall be very quiet and discreet,” Thaïs assured him.
“No doubt, Miss Elspeth, but I’m afraid I can’t permit it.”
Sera’s pulse began to race. If he would not let them beyond this sitting room, what could they do to evade his supervision?
“I’ve long said your aunt is in better hands with me, at home,” Cornelia sniffed to Thaïs. “You know how travel upsets her. She’ll likely get worse in a place like this.”
Sera nodded to Thaïs. “I agree, Miss Elspeth. At least at home we can be sure she is in a sympathetic atmosphere.”
Thaïs nodded, making as if to rise. “Perhaps you’re right, ladies. Doctor, thank you for your time, but I think—”
Dr. Hogue shot to his feet. “Oh, I daresay treating a patient in such a condition as your aunt at home may worsen her health. But your concern for her comfort is touching. Miss Elspeth, if your friends would not mind waiting here, I suppose a brief tour will do no harm.”
“How kind, Doctor,” Thaïs chirped.
The doctor gave Cornelia a smug smile, like he had just stolen her lunch. “Follow me, Miss Elspeth. Ladies, Miss Smith will be in shortly with your tea.”
As soon as they left, Sera gripped Cornelia’s hand. “Clever thinking.”
“Oh, I don’t like this,” Cornelia sighed. “Do you think he believes her?”
“Yes,” Sera said. “Thank God for blinding beauty.”
“I trust she will use it to wreak havoc. Let’s go look for Elinor.”
But before they could even rise, Miss Smith returned carrying a tea tray.
Blast. They needed to get rid of her.
Sera glanced at Cornelia, unsure what to do.
Cornelia’s eyes traveled to Miss Smith’s teacup. A silent signal. Laudanum.
Cornelia clutched her stomach. “Miss Smith, forgive the indelicacy but I find the travel here did not agree with me. Would you show me to the necessary?”
Miss Smith hesitated, glancing at Sera. “Of course. Come with me.”
“I will prepare us tea,” Sera said. “Miss Smith, do you take milk and sugar?”
“Yes, please.”
As soon as they were out the door, Sera strained the tea into three cups. Into Miss Smith’s she poured a hefty amount of milk, two lumps of sugar, and enough laudanum to send a small woman into a blissful doze.
Miss Smith returned, alone, and Sera held out the cup, feeling queasy. She had been accused of many crimes during her life, but she had never actually been guilty of committing one. She preferred to fight with words, not poisoned chalices.
It’s for Elinor. Muscle up.
Miss Smith took the tea, but set it down on the table without taking a sip. Sera took a sip of her own tea encouragingly.
Drink it. Drink it.
“I recognized you immediately,” Miss Smith whispered. “You are Seraphina Arden.”
Sera’s hand spasmed, sending hot tea splashing over the rim of her cup. “Oh, no, you must be mistaking me for someone else,” she said lightly, trying not to spill more of the scalding liquid on her hands.
Miss Smith smiled, and offered Sera a serviette to wipe the tea from her hands. “I suppose you must think the doctor would not take your friend’s aunt if he knew who you are, but you needn’t worry. I won’t tell him. I’m an admirer.”
An admirer! They could use this.
The girl reached down to pick up her tea. Sera kicked the table leg, causing the tea cup to overturn onto the carpet.
“So very sorry!” Sera exclaimed. “How clumsy of me.”
She knelt to mop up the spilled tea. Miss Smith also knelt, and Sera took the opportunity to whisper in her ear. “Thank you for being so discreet. The truth is that I learned of this place because my friend Lady Bell is being treated here.”
“Ah, yes,” Miss Smith said. “She is lovely.”
Sera looked into the girl’s eyes. “She is a dear friend. I’d love a chance to visit with her while we are here. Perhaps you could take me to see her?”
Miss Smith shook her head sadly. “The doctor does not allow visitors. But you need not worry. Lady Bell does not seem the slightest bit mad. I believe she is just here for rest.”
“Then surely a short visit would do no harm. Just for a few minutes. Please.”
“What’s the matter!” Cornelia cried, returning to the room to see her and Miss Smith crouched on the floor.
“Miss Smith here is a supporter of the cause,” Sera explained in a low voice. “And she has given me the most soothing news. It seems that Lady Bell is not mad.”
Miss Smith’s face had gone taut with worry, as if she was reconsidering the wisdom of having shared this information. “Yes, but nevertheless—”
Sera took the girl’s hand. “That makes her a captive, dear. Nothing but a captive.”
Miss Smith’s face contorted, as if she had not considered this.
“Please, take us to see her,” Sera said, squeezing Miss Smith’s fingers. “We have been so worried. You can’t imagine.”
Miss Smith inhaled, then slowly nodded. “Very well. But we must go quickly, and you must be brief. The doctor will be furious if he learns that I’ve allowed it.”
Blessed child.
“Thank you. I cannot tell you how much this means to us.”
Miss Smith stood and gestured for them to follow her out of the room and into a corridor that divided the public and private wings of the house. She paused, checking for anyone within view, then opened the door into a far less pleasant hallway that smelled of stale urine. It was lined with identical doors, each a few feet apart.
Cells. Poor Elinor.
Miss Smith paused in front of one and took a key from a ring at her waist. “She’s in here,” she whispered. “One of our best rooms.”